Excavating machinery



Aug. 11, 1931. P. s. STEVENS 1,818,106

' BXCAVATING IACHINERY f Filed April 26, 1926 SSheets-Sheet 1 Rim? 5 Sigwpys INVENTOR.

ATTORN Aug. 11, 1931. P. s. STEVENS 1,318,105

axe/warms xncamsi'u Filed April 26, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 N R102 5. 5 fez e115.

INVENTOR.

A TTORN S.

Aug. 11, 1931. P. s. STEVENS 1,318,106

I EXCAVATING MACHINERY Filed April 26, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 PlP/ME Mari/r R1075. Siepe IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNE Aug. 11, 1931. P. s. s'rzvz us 1,818,106

EXCAVATING IACHINERY \I Filed April 26, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I g a k x J Q m T) IL" 0|;

um M: I'." 11

8 n v v 1 X" I Paul .5. Stevens, INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYSZ P: s. STEVENS EXCAVATING MACHINERY 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 26, 1925 aaZ isiwens,

INVENTOR. BY a I 4W ATTORNEYS.

Figure 2 shows, also schematically, my improvement as applied to the motions of a dipper dredge.

Figure 3 shows certain of the electrical connections for actuating and controlling a plurality of motors from one generator.

Figure 4 shows the installation necessary when it is desirable that one motor shall'be capable of actuation by that one of a plurality of generators which is at the moment not supplying power to some other motor.

Figure 5 is an elementary electric wiring dia ram of the device of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an elementary electric wiring diagram of the device of Figure 4.

lVhile the various pieces of apparatus are given specific locations in Figures 1 and 2, it is to be understood that their actual locations are entirely arbitrary. This applies in particular to all exciters. generators, interlocks and controllers, quite regardless of the location of the particular motors which the said pieces of apparatus serve. While, therefore, the motors which actuate the several.

operated excavating element-s are preferably placed so that each is relatively near the operated excavatingelement which it actuates, all other pieces of apparatus may be located wherever convenience dictates.

In Figure 1 is shown a shovel on a creeping traction mounting 1, which carries the usual rack 2, for the purpose of swinging a turntable 3. The swing pinion which is carried by the turntable and which engages the rack, is not shown, as it is not involved in my present invention; and, for the same reason, the swing motor, swing generator and swing control are not shown.

On the front end of the turntable 3 is mounted a boom 4, carrying a dipper handle 5 for swinging and reciprocating. The motor which effects this reciprocation is not shown, as it forms no part of my present invention; and, for the same reason, the thrust generator and thrust controller are not shown. Mounted on the end of the dipper handle is a digging dipper 6. The swinging of the dipper and handle is effected by hoist rope 7 which passes over a sheave 8 on the end of the boom, and thence to a dipper hoist winch 9 actuated by a dipper hoist motor 10.

The boom 4 is pivoted at its foot on the turntable 3, and its inclination is determined by boom hoist cable 11. which is wound on boom hoist winch 12 which in turn is actuated by boom hoist motor 13. v

The propelling of the creeping traction mounting is elfected by propelling motor 14, which may be conveniently positioned on the creeping traction mounting itself. In the case of plurality of propelling motors, this would be merely for convenience in attaching each of said motors to one of a plurality of creeping traction units, said motors being simultaneously and similarly governed by one and the same control; such motors thus constituting one motor, as defined near the beginning of this specification.

The dipper hoist motor 10, the boom hoist motor 13, and the propelling motor 14 are selectively driven by one generator 15, in conjunction with its eXciter 16. The three motors are respectively controlled by three controllers 17, 18 and 19, in a manner herein after set forth, and are interlocked in a manner hereinafter set forth by the interlocking device 20, so that no one of said three motors can be started if any other of said three motors is at the time being actuated.

Inasmuch .as there is never any need, in an excavator of the type described, for the dipper hoist motor, the boom hoist motor, and the propelling motor or any two of them, to be actuated at one and the same time, it is evident that my invention, by providing a single generator and exciter for the motors associated with these three operated excavating elements, results in effecting a great economy, while at the same time preserving all the advantages of the well-known Ward Leonard control.

Figure 2 illustrates the application of the principles of my invention to a floating dredge, mounted on a hull 21. The boom 22 is mounted on the swing circle 23 and carries the dipper handle 24 and dipper 25, in much the same way as the boom 4, the dipper handle 5 and the dipper 6 are disposed in Figure 1.

The reciprocation of the dipper handle is effected by the thrust motor 26. The hoisting of the dipper is effected by the hoist cable 27, which is actuated by the dipper hoist winch 28 and dipper hoist motor 29.

The swing circle 23 is controlled by two ropes 30, which are actuated by swing winch 31 and swing motor 32.

To hold the dredge in position during digging, three spuds are lowered into engagement with the bottom of the body of water. One of these spuds 33 is positioned at the rear of the dredge, the other two spuds being positioned one on each side near the bow. Only one of these latter, 34, is shown. The two bow spuds are raised and lowered by a two-drum winch 35, actuated by a spud motor 36. The rear spud is raised and lowered by spud winch 37. actuated by spud motor 38.

There are three generators, each with its corresponding exciter and interlocking device. Each generator may be conveniently named by the principal operated excavating element which it controls. Thus we have the hoist generator 39, its interlocking device 40 and its exciter 41; the swing generator 42, and its interlocking device 43; and the thrust generator 44, and its interlocking device 45. It is to be understood that, with respect to the swing generator and the thrust generbtheseamowm'm haswitmwn;

fiof the-motors above described 1s-oontmllmhby its'appropriate controller. Thus wozfitreathrustcontroller 46 to control the W motor 26, a dipper hoist controller 47 lmnntrolthe dipper-hoist motor 29, a swing co'ntroller48 to controlthe swing motor 32, a spud controller 49 to control the spudqmotorfifi, and a rear spud controller 50 tmwntrolthe rear spud motor 38.

.Grouping the motors, so that they may be selectively actuated by as few generatorsas possible, without disturbing the normal oper of-the, dredge, we have the hoist generaton?actuatingthe hoist motor 29 andthe spud oist motor 36; the swing generator 42' actmting the swing motor 32 and the spud M338; and-thethrust generator 44 actuating the thrust motor 26 and the spud motor will he notedzthat provision is made whereby the spud motor 38 maybeactuated lw'oitbflr the swing. generator 42 or the thrust W 44, accordingas one or the other of i hflwgomrators is available, the spud eon mlkrrfiwto-be selectively couplcd to one or the other of these generators by the manu- Ql fi rated switch 51.

f .1 fguresland 2 the variousgenerators and exciters may be actuated by any convenient means of fairlyoonstant speed, suchas a engine, gasoline engine, steam engine, onslectric motor, none of which means are herein shown, as their application is sufiiobvious. It is-not essential that each generator have its corresponding exciter. Thus, for example, one exciter may serve molo than one generator audits motors; or

thetfield of a generator may be self-exci ed andlor the generator maybe employedto exeitmthefields of its motors; or, in casethe source of power is direct current, the eaciters, or some of them, maybe dispensed with,,.. as desired, this direct current being used. purposes of excitation.

-lyinvcntion provides for a further savingfof. sxpense'by a device which limits the necessary size of the rotating means referred toinfihe preceding agra'pln This is acoampllshed as fol ows. Whenever there existing an excavating machine two motors- (suchms hoisting and thrusting), which can operate simultaneously by reason of being respectively served by two distinct generatnraand which together will occasionally an excessive load upon said rotating means, I provide for limiting this lead in of building a rotating; means sufficient- 1y powerful to: meet this load. Thereby midalahle saving of explense is effected.

,fifig ethod is-to join generator39 andthrust generator 44 in Figure 2, in any" well-known to those skilled inthe an ovorloadrelay '(not. shown) and termined figure, a resistance is automatically out into thefieldcircuit of the hoist generator, thereby so reducing its possible output,

that thecombinedloadiwill not excccd the I of the well-known electricaldetails'of this device.

It isitobe understood that, in my inven= tion, I am not-limited-to any particular cataloging orgrouping of motors. Other motors'maybeadded to any one of the generators shown, or thegrouping may be changed. For example, a boom hoist mightbe addedto'the dredge shown in Figure-2, in muchthe same manner as the boom hoist shown inLEigure 1, and coupled withany convenientone of the generators. Furthermore, winchesmight be added-forthe control of the anchorage ropes ofthe dredge shown in Figure2, although it is usual to employ one-or more of" the winches already described for this purpose, as well as ,for its main function. 7

Figure 3 shows very schematically, one

Ward Leonard system according to my in-' vention. The prime mover 52 drives the generator 53 which has a separately excited; field 54. An exciter 55, driven by exciter motor 56, supplies the current for exciting thegenerator field 54 and. such of'the motor fields as may be separately excited.

Three motors, actuated by generator 53, are shown. Of these, motor 57 is shown with ,a seriesfield 58, motor. 59 is showniwith a series field 60, andmotor 61 is shown with a separately excited shunt field 62; but it is to be understood that each of the motors may beof any sort having proper characterist-icsifpr the motion in question. a

The interlocking device 63 may be of any convenient form known to those skilled in the art, whereby, if any one of the three motors is being actuated by the generator, to prevent any other of the three motors from being coupled to the generator.

Motors 57, 59 and 61 are respectively controlled-by controllers 64, 65 and 66, only one of which will now be discussed, as representativeof the three.

' Controller 66 is coupled to ing device. 63 by a cable. 67 containing the requisite number of electric wiresto enable the controller to perform thefunctions heteinafter enumerated. The field circuit 68 andarmaturecircuit 69. of the-motor, 61 pass may-be of any convenient sort, wellrlmown the. interlock.

&

thrust generator-s exceeds ya p edacable-N ta ia Wheneve the lead-en h t hes e illedvin th an whe eby: the fe motor while motor 61 is in operation. and to permit the cutting in of any other motor when the motor (31 is not in operation; and

Varying the resistance in the armiture circuit ii for any reason that should be desirable.

Figure i illustrates vc-rf: schematically, the installation necessary when it is desirable that any one motor shall be capable of actuaicn by that one of a plurali y of generators which is at the moment not suppling power to some other motor. 'lhis, it will be remembered. was the case with respect to spud motor 38 in the dredge of Figure 2. In Figure :4 onerator T0 with its interlockin device 71 may actuate motor *2 through its controller 73: generator Tel with its interlocl-zing de ice 75 may actuate motor 76 through its controller 77; and either generator may actuate mo- "or 78 through its controller 79. this controller being selectively couples to either of the two interlocking devices by means or" the manually operated switch 80. Such of the circuits as it is not necessary to break by means of this switch may pass around it from the controller 79 to the interlocking device '71 or the interlocking device 75. Cable 8064 connects the two interlocks 71 and 75, in. the manner explained in the discussion of Figure 2. The prime mover for the two generators is indicated by the initials P. M.

The device of Figure 3 has been diagrammed in Figure Generator 53, its held 54:. eXcitcr motor 57. its field. 58, motor 50, ts field 00, motor 61. and its field 62 are numbered as in Figure 3.

In Figure 5 all solenoids must be considered as acting upwardly when energized, and all relays are shown occupying their normal position 'ith the solenoid unenergized. It will be noted that there are two electrical systems: one being shown with fine lines, and deriving its current from the exciter and the other being shown with heavy lines, and deriving its current from the generator 53.

All solenoids and relays of Figure are located in the interlock 63 of l igure 3. Each of the controllers 5 k and 66 of Figure 3 contains the rheostat, pilot switch and re yersing switch of the corresponding motor. Each controller preferably has a handle which returns to neutral automatically, when released.

Motor 57 has a pilot line 81, capable of being closed by switch 82 (preferably located in the handle of controller 64, and closed b grasping the same), and passing throng solenoids 83 and 81, and capable of being broken by relays 85 and 86. Switch 82 may well be arranged to open automatically, when released, and may well be mechanically interlocked with its controller-handle, so that switch 82 cannot be closed unless its controller-handle is in neutral. The solenoids should have sufficient resistance to prevent the exciter current from shorting through the pilot line. A single. solenoid may be substituted for the two, which a re here employed merely to simplify the wiring of the figure.

Similarly motor 59 has a pilot line 87, a handle-switch SS, solenoids S9 and 90, and relays 91 and 92.

iniilarly motor 51 has a pilot line 93, a han lle-switch fl, solenoids 05 and 90, and relays 9? and 98.

llheosat controls motor 5'7 by varying the field ot the generator 53, the current for this purpose coming through line 100, and nniug through line 101. Line maybe closed by relay 102. Line 101 may be broken l v re av 10 lrlotor 5?, being a series motor, reversed by reversing its field 58. by means of rlwersin -switch 104. The Yard Leonard generator circuit 105 to motor 57 is closable by relay 100.

With respect to motor 59, also a series motor. the same parts are played by rheostat 10?. lines 108 and 101, relays 109 and 103, rcversing-switch 110. generator circuit 111, and relay 112. It should be noted that re turn line 101 and relay 10 are common to the control of both motor 57 and motor 59.

Motor 61 being" shunt. must be dill erentlv treated. Its rheostat 113 is served by line 11 1. and an independent return-line 115. This circuit may be closed b relays 116 and 117. To revwse this motor. the generator field is reversed by reversirig-switch 118. The generator circuit to this motor is closable by relay 120. The shunt-field 02 of this motor is served by cycitcr circuit 121. closable by re 1)! 1252, which is provided with a bypass re stance 12 3, to prevent arcing.

I shall illustrate the operation of this system by describing the i'unctioning of only one of the mot rs. rrssume that the operator of controller 61 wishes to run motor 57. hflanipulation of controller 01:, including rheostat 99 and reversing switch 101, will be inell' ctive unless handle-switch 82. which is a part of this controller. be first closed; for otherwise relay 102 will break the line to the rheostat. and relay 106 will break the generator circuit to motor 57. So that the first act oi the operator must be to close handleswitch 82 by grasplug the handle of the controller.

The closing of handle switch S2 energizes solenoids 83 and 84-. thus closing relay 10:2 in the rheostat circuit 100, and opening relays Zita 3 .Rheostat 99.01111 new. bensed, andany .,.attempt to use rhestats107 and 113. is rendared inefiective, asrelays .109, 116 .and117 p f remain .open 'and'thus will molate those.

[r tatsfromthegeneratorfield 54. Simi- ,larly, relays 112, .120 and 122 will remain 0 en, isolating motors 59' and 61,,a-nd eir 'lds 60 and 62. Any attempt to ose any n g (.175. into thefield circuitlo'f generator Eyel d-.

h 88 or ,,94 will .be rendered nugatory by the breaks l pilot lines 87 and .93 at ,relaysl 92, and..98

-.. ectively. I

ut,,i either of theptheL' motorais runmng, pilot line 81 will be. broken ateither re- W 85 or. 86 and-theclosing of handle-switch willbe inefi'ective.

y The similar operation of controllers and .ietsheuld be readily evident.

It! m9 r y y osing handle-aw @Thedeviceof Figure 4, has been dia-,

. ammedin Figure 6. Generators 7 Q and 74 tors 72, 76 and 78,, and selective. swltcli are. numbered. asin Figure 4.

' ,In Figure. 6, .as,in. Figure 5, all solenoids f gnct, upwardly: when energized. In Figure 6 there are three electrical systems: one being SbQWII. with fine lines, and. deriving its curh fillfififom exciter 131 and the other two being Show .With ,heavy lines, and deriving, their ,n.,cu1went.respectively from generator or.

generator 74.

; Motor 72 has a series field 1'32 and a reverseSWitCh 133. It is controlled byrheostat q pilot line 135, handle-switch 186, solea ,noj s 137 and 138, and relays 139, 140 and 141, 5.411101 which operate as already explained ,with respect to Figure 5. ..M0 0r"76 has a shunt-field 142 and is re- ,ggrsed-byreversingthe field 143 of ginerator means of rever ing switch 1 It is noptrolled by rheostat 145, pilot line 146, han- Ila-switch 147, solen ids 148 and 14?, relays ",150, 151, 152,153,154 and 155, and arcing 'St nce 156. I y a 11 ctor 78 has a series field 157 and a reversing switch 158. It is controlled-by rheostat But, asit can be selectively served by either generator 70 or generator 74, it has two ilot lines 160 and 161. Wlien switch is thrown up and. assumgthat pilot-line 160 is not brol: by virtue of motor 72 being in use, solenoid thus putting motor-78 into the armature circuit of said generator. The opening of relay prevents the. use of motor 72.

the other hand, when switch 80 is mthrown down, and assuming that pilot-line 161;. isnot broken byrelay 168by virtue of )notor 76 being. in use, solenoid 1.69 closes relay 170, thus enablingrhegstat 159 tocontriilfioldliiimtgenerater 74, and at t e same .zmm.

enby relay .second- Ward Leonard 1153 closes relay 164, thus enablingrheostat W @159 tocontrol field 165 of generator 70, and f matgthe same time solenoid 166 closes relay 167,

i t means. wheW h Wa ling} 5 Y. l w .1 e w time s'olenold I 1 closes relay 172 thus puttin motor .78 into the armature circuit of sai generator. The opening of relay. 150 preventsthe use of motor .76.

. Whenever generators 7 Oand 7 4 .are both in use simultaneously,it is desirable to the m loadon the prime mover in the followin manner. Whenever the load on nerator, 0 exceeds a certain predetermine v figure, solenoid 173 opens relay 174 thereby cuttmgresjistanee thereby so reducin th flpossi'blefiputwtbf. tha v generator, that th combmei load vwill ure 6. Controller 79 includes switch 80, rheostat 159, and reversingswitch 158. Controller 77 includes handle-switch 147, rheostati145,. and reversing switch 144. Interlock 71 ineludes solenoids 137, 138, 163, 166 and 1 7 3, and relays 141, 162, 140, 164, 139, 167 and 1.74. Interlock .75 includes solenoids 169, 171,148 and 149, and relays 170, 150, 172, 168,151,154, 155,152 M1153. v I claim:

1. In an excavating machine,the. combina tion of: a generator; means for drivingsaid generator; a plurality of motors; a con troller for each motor said controller being characterized by the fact that. it is adapts to connect electricall itsmotor 'tothegenerator, to vary the fi d of the enerator, and to reverseits motor, and inter ocking means v.10 whereby,- whenone. motor is. being actuated, it is rendered impossible tocouple any other motor to the. generator.

2. .In an excavating machine,.the combination, of a generator; means for drivingsaid generator; a plurality of motors; acontroller foreach, motor, said controller being characterized by. the fact that :it is. adaptedLto connect electricall its. motor to the. generators complete independent control. means for each motor; means whereby thecoupling of either. the firstorthethirdmotor. to..the first. generator will prevent thecoupling of the other of those two motors) thatgenerof the other of those two motors to that generator.

4*. In an excavating machine, the combination of a lVard Leonard generator; means for driving said generator; and a plurality of motors selectively actuated by said generator and in parallel with respect to the generator, each motor being completely and independently controlled, such control including means for varying the resistance in the field circuit of the generator.

5. In an excavating machine, the combination of: a ll ard Leonard generator; means for driving said generator; and a plurality of motors selectively actuated by said generator and in parallel with respect to the generator each motor being completely and independently controlled.

6. In an excavating machine, the combination oi: a ll'ard Leonard generator; means for driving said generator; and a plurality of motors selectively actuated by said genorator and in parallel with respect to the generator, each motor being independently controlled.

7. In an xcavating machine, the combination of: a lVard Leonard generator; a plurality of motors selectively actuated by said generator; a second ard Leonard generator; a second plurality of motors selectively actuated by said second generator: a ringle means for driving said generators; means connected with the first generator for limiting its power output; and means connec e with the second generator for actuating last named means during such time as the r wer output of said second generator is "ElQl than a n'edctermined quantity.

In an excavating machine, the combination of: a ll ard Leonard generator; a plurality oi motor-'3 selectively actuated by said generator; a second lVar-d Leonard generator: a second plurality of motors selectivcly actuated by said second generator; asingle means for driving said generators; and means whereby the combined power output of the two generators is limited to a cerain predetermined maximum.

9. In an excavating machine, the combination 01: a ll'ard Leonard generator; a motor actuated by said generator; a second lVard Leonard generator: a second motor actuated by said second generator; asingle means for driving said generators; means connected with the first generator for limi.t ing its power output; and means connected with the second generator for actuating said last named means during such time as the power output of said second generator is greater than a predetermined quantity.

10. In an excavating machine, the combination of: a ll'ard Leonard generator; a motor actuated by said generator; a second lVard Leonard generator; a second n10- tor actuated by said second generator; a single means for driving said generators; and means whereby the combined power output of the two generators is limited to a certain predetermined maximum.

11. In an excavating machine, the combina-.

tion of: a lVard Leonard generator; means for driving said generator; a plurality of motors selectively actuated by said generator; and interlocking means whereby, when one meter is being actuated, it is rendered impossible to couple any other motor to the generator, and whereby any attempt to conple any other motor to the generator is prevented lrom allecting the operation of the motor which is being actuated.

12. In an excavating machine, the combination of: a ard Leonard generator; means for driving said generator; a plurality of motors selectively actuated by said gei'ierator; and interlocking means whereby it is rendered impossible to actuate more than one of said motors simultaneously by said generator, and whereby any attempt to actuate more than one motor simultaneously is prevented from ailecting that motor which is first to be actuated.

13. In an excavating machine, the combination of: two ard Leonard generators; a motor capable oi being actuated only by one ot said generators; a second motor capable of being actuated only by the other of said generators; a third motor capable of being actu atcd by either of said generators; a switch to couple said third motor selectively to either of said generators complete independent control means for each motor; means whereby it is rendered impossible to actuate more than one of said motors simultaneously by one and the same. generator; a single means for driving said generators; .u'icans connected with the first generator for limiting its power output; and means connected with the second generator for actuating said last named means during such time as the power output of said second generator is L ater than a predetermined quantity.

ll. In an excavating machine. the combination of: two lYard Leonard generators; a motor capable of being actuated only by one of said generators; a second motor capable of being actuated only by the other of said generators: a third motor capable of being actuated by either of said generators; a itch to couple said third motor selectively to either of said generators; complete independent control means for each motor; means whereby it is rendered in'ipossible to actuate more than one of said motors simultaneously by one and the same generator; a single means for driving said generators; and means whereby the combined power output of the two generators is limited to a certain predet rmined maximum.

PAUL s. STEVENS. 

